GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy
ISO 9001
International standard for quality management systems
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates data privacy for EU residents worldwide with hefty fines, while ISO 9001 is voluntary quality certification enhancing processes. Companies adopt GDPR for compliance, ISO 9001 for efficiency and market trust.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)
Key Features
- Applies extraterritorially to non-EU entities targeting EU residents
- Imposes fines up to 4% of global annual turnover
- Enforces accountability principle requiring demonstrable compliance
- Grants data subjects right to erasure and portability
- Mandates 72-hour personal data breach notification
ISO 9001
ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems requirements
Key Features
- Risk-based thinking throughout QMS
- Seven quality management principles
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
- Process approach with 10 clauses
- High-Level Structure for integration
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as GDPR, is a directly applicable EU regulation modernizing data privacy. It protects personal data of EU individuals with extraterritorial scope, applying globally to entities targeting EU residents. Built on a rights-based, accountability-driven approach, it replaced the fragmented 1995 Data Protection Directive.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Enhanced **data subject rightsaccess, rectification, erasure (right to be forgotten), portability, objection.
- Obligations like DPIAs, DPO appointment, 72-hour breach notifications.
- Enforcement via fines up to €20M or 4% global turnover; no certification, but demonstrable compliance required.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for EU data processors; reduces legal risks, builds trust, enables Digital Single Market. Enhances reputation, inspires global standards like LGPD/CCPA, mitigates breach impacts.
Implementation Overview
Involves privacy-by-design, records of processing, training, audits. Applies to all sizes/industries handling EU data; two-year transition (2016-2018) highlighted SME challenges. Ongoing via EDPB guidance, one-stop-shop enforcement. (178 words)
ISO 9001 Details
What It Is
ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), providing requirements for organizations to consistently meet customer and regulatory needs. It uses a process-based, risk-thinking approach with the PDCA cycle across 10 clauses.
Key Components
- **Clauses 4-10Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- **7 Quality Management PrinciplesCustomer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationship management.
- High-Level Structure (Annex SL) for integration with other ISO standards.
- Voluntary third-party certification with audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances customer satisfaction, efficiency, and competitiveness.
- Meets market and regulatory demands; over 1M certifications worldwide.
- Manages risks proactively, reduces costs, builds reputation.
- Drives continual improvement and stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, process mapping, training, internal audits, certification.
- Applicable to all sizes/sectors globally.
- Phased: 6-12 months typically, with ongoing surveillance audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | ISO 9001 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy | Quality management systems and processes |
| Industry | All sectors processing EU data globally | All industries worldwide, any size |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Voluntary certification standard |
| Testing | DPIAs, audits by supervisory authorities | Internal audits, third-party certification |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and ISO 9001
GDPR FAQ
ISO 9001 FAQ
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